What are the qualities of a good and effective leader?

Numbers 12:3Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.

Proverbs 11:2Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 29:23Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.

James 4:6He [God] gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Good leaders are humble.

Matthew 23:11-12“The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 22:25-27Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.”

John 13:14-15“Since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”

1 Peter 5:1-4Now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

Good leaders serve those under their care. The success of their mission and the well-being of those they lead is more important than any honor they may receive.

2 Samuel 12:7-9, 13Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife.” . . . Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Psalm 32:5Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Psalm 51:1, 3-4Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. . . . For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

Good leaders are open to constructive criticism and correction. Even good leaders will make bad decisions and will sin, as we see with David. When they do, they accept responsibility, seek forgiveness, and correct their behavior.

Joshua 24:15“If you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 14:8-9If the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle? It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.

Good leaders have strong convictions and articulate them clearly to their followers.

Matthew 25:20-21“The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”

Acts 18:24-25A Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy.

2 Corinthians 11:6I [Paul] may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way.

Good leaders accurately recognize their strengths and weaknesses, and they understand how to use that knowledge.

Exodus 4:10-12Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

1 Corinthians 1:10, 12-13; 3:5-7I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. . . . Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.” . . . Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! . . . After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.

Good leaders recognize that talent and personal achievements are not the most important credentials for leadership. Highly talented individuals can be terrible leaders if they allow their pride and competitiveness to tear their team apart. Individuals who lack obvious talent and ability can become excellent leaders if they work well with others and put the mission first. God works through the untalented, but he does not work through the proud. In the end, a Christian leader’s reliance on God is far more important than his or her abilities.

Genesis 12:1, 4The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. . . . So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

1 Kings 22:14Micaiah replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say.”

Good and effective leaders follow the Lord’s leadership.

Numbers 20:12The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”

Joshua 24:15“If you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

John 13:15“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”

Good and effective leaders demonstrate God’s character by example.

Exodus 18:17-23“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups . . . They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”

Deuteronomy 1:12-13“‘You are such a heavy load to carry! How can I deal with all your problems and bickering? Choose some well-respected men from each tribe who are known for their wisdom and understanding, and I will appoint them as your leaders.’”

Philippians 2:19, 22If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. . . . But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.

Good and effective leaders delegate authority to others who are trustworthy.

Exodus 32:19-21When they came near the camp, Moses saw the calf and the dancing, and he burned with anger. He threw the stone tablets to the ground, smashing them at the foot of the mountain. He took the calf they had made and burned it. Then he ground it into powder, threw it into the water, and forced the people to drink it. Finally, he turned to Aaron and demanded, “What did these people do to you to make you bring such terrible sin upon them?”

2 Chronicles 34:3While he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images.

Nehemiah 5:9Then I [Nehemiah] pressed further, “What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations?”

Galatians 2:11, 14When Peter came to Antioch, I [Paul] had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. . . . When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?”

Good and effective leaders courageously confront those who are doing what is wrong.

Matthew 20:26“Among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.”

Luke 22:25-26Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, . . . But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.”

John 13:13-15“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”

Good and effective leaders lead by meeting others’ needs, even if that requires doing menial or undesirable tasks. They care more about the success of their mission and the well-being of others than about personal glory.

Hebrews 2:10God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

James 1:2-4When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Good and effective leaders are more effective after undergoing and enduring hard times.

2 Samuel 12:7-9, 13Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife. . . .” Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

1 Chronicles 21:8David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt for doing this foolish thing.”

Psalm 32:5Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Psalm 51:3-4I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

Good and effective leaders accept responsibility for their actions.

Daniel 6:10When Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

Ephesians 4:1I [Paul], a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

Good and effective leaders maintain good habits.

Luke 20:46-47“Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.”

Romans 2:3Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?

1 John 4:20If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

The words and actions of good and effective leaders are consistent.

John 3:30“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”

1 Corinthians 1:13Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not!

Good and effective leaders do not emphasize themselves—they emphasize their mission. In the cases of John the Baptist and the apostle Paul, that mission was sharing everywhere the good news about Jesus the Messiah.

Micah 3:1I said, “Listen, you leaders of Israel! You are supposed to know right from wrong.”

Good and effective leaders are dedicated to doing what is right.

1 Kings 3:28When all Israel heard the king’s decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice.

Hebrews 6:1So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding.

Good and effective leaders demonstrate maturity and wisdom.

1 Chronicles 12:1-2The following men joined David at Ziklag while he was hiding from Saul son of Kish. They were among the warriors who fought beside David in battle. All of them were expert archers, and they could shoot arrows or sling stones with their left hand as well as their right. They were all relatives of Saul from the tribe of Benjamin.

Philippians 2:22You know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.

2 Timothy 2:2You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

Good and effective leaders are not threatened by others who are skilled. They gather skillful people around them.

Proverbs 12:15Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

Proverbs 27:17As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Good and effective leaders are willing to learn and keep others around who hold them accountable.

Numbers 36:5Moses gave the Israelites this command from the Lord: “The claim of the men of the tribe of Joseph is legitimate.”

1 Kings 12:3-4, 6-8, 16The leaders of Israel summoned him, and Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel went to speak with Rehoboam. “Your father was a hard master,” they said. “Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us. Then we will be your loyal subjects.” . . . Then King Rehoboam discussed the matter with the older men who had counseled his father, Solomon. “What is your advice?” he asked. “How should I answer these people?” The older counselors replied, “If you are willing to be a servant to these people today and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects.” But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers. . . . When all Israel realized that the king had refused to listen to them, they responded, “Down with the dynasty of David! We have no interest in the son of Jesse. Back to your homes, O Israel! Look out for your own house, O David!” So the people of Israel returned home.

Acts 18:24-26Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.

Foolish leaders ignore wise advice to their detriment. Good and effective leaders take wise advice and put it into action. They are more concerned about the right way than their way.

Galatians 1:6-8I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.

1 John 4:1Do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

2 John 1:10If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement.

Good and effective leaders recognize false teaching and boldly combat it.

1 Kings 3:23-28Then the king said, “Let’s get the facts straight. Both of you claim the living child is yours, and each says that the dead one belongs to the other. All right, bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought to the king. Then he said, “Cut the living child in two, and give half to one woman and half to the other!” Then the woman who was the real mother of the living child, and who loved him very much, cried out, “Oh no, my lord! Give her the child—please do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “All right, he will be neither yours nor mine; divide him between us!” Then the king said, “Do not kill the child, but give him to the woman who wants him to live, for she is his mother!” When all Israel heard the king’s decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice.

Psalm 82:3“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.”

Proverbs 20:8When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good.

1 Corinthians 6:5I [Paul] am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues?

Good and effective leaders lead with righteousness and justice.

2 Kings 22:1-2Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. . . . He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right.

Nehemiah 7:2I [Nehemiah] gave the responsibility of governing Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, for he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.

Good and effective leaders show faithfulness and reverence.

2 Chronicles 32:20King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

Ephesians 1:16-17I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

Philippians 1:3-5Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. Good and effective leaders have a heart for prayer.

Hebrews 12:2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Good and effective leaders keep their eyes on Jesus.

Joshua 1:9“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Acts 4:13The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:31After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Good and effective leaders show courage based on the assurance of God’s presence.